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Tag: FAV

  • Change of Pace

    Change of Pace

    The FAV successfully accomplishes its goal of bridging the gap between combustible smoking and vaping.

    By Mike Huml

    The FAV aims to achieve the seemingly impossible: replicating the taste of a cigarette without burning tobacco. Its primary focus is to effectively convert smokers into vapers, addressing the common complaint that vapes don’t taste like cigarettes. By precisely weaving a variety of tobacco leaves into the cotton wicking material, the FAV claims to have finally accomplished what no other device has managed to do over the past 15 or so years, which is to replicate the flavor and feel of an analog cigarette. Has it succeeded?

    The device itself is fairly standard. The rounded body contains a 450 mAH battery that can be charged via USB-C. Each replaceable pod comes in two pieces that snap together before use and are inserted into the body. These pods hold 2 mL of e-liquid, each coil has a resistance of 1.2 ohms, and the battery fires at a power of 9 watts to 9.5 watts. On average, the battery and the pod last for approximately 300 puffs to 350 puffs, with the battery charging in about 20 minutes. For comparison, the average pack of analog cigarettes offers 200 puffs.

    A decorative sticker is wrapped around the top portion of the body, adding some flair without being overly offensive to the aesthetic. The mouthpiece is round and wide, resembling the size and shape of a traditional cigarette while ensuring a smooth vaping experience without any spitback or gurgling. When the pod is installed, the device provides a haptic vibration to confirm that it’s ready to go, and a single LED offers some visual feedback as well. It’s a simple design but one that will appeal to the target market of current smokers who are likely not looking for anything extravagant.

    Aesthetics and operation are simple but also ancillary to the focus of the FAV. So how does it compare to a cigarette? First and foremost, the draw is remarkably similar to that of a cigarette. Vapers will likely recognize the trademark scratchy airflow reminiscent of the cartomizer days, which is ideal as cartomizers were always closest to emulating the sensation of smoking a cigarette. The FAV delivers a consistent yet intangible “fuzzy” experience when taking a drag, capturing the essence of an analog cigarette.

    What about the flavor? Does it taste like a burning cigarette?

    Not exactly. But it’s damn close.

    In a blind taste test, it may not fool a smoker entirely, but it unquestionably comes the closest any device has ever come. It’s important to note that cigarettes burn, and replicating that distinct flavor can only be achieved by burning something, which undermines the harm reduction aspect of vaping. The most apparent difference between the FAV’s flavors and other flavors is the lack of excessive sweetness. Over the years, e-liquids have become increasingly overloaded with sweeteners, which can be off-putting for smokers looking to transition. Additionally, the FAV delivers a substantial throat hit. As nicotine salts have become more popular due to the lack of throat hit, the FAV is more reminiscent of liquid nicotine, feeling more like a 24 mg to 36 mg liquid nicotine throat hit, which is far harsher than even most 50 mg nicotine salts. That’s impressive considering each FAV pod is offered at a strength of 20 mg.

    The FAV offers six flavors, roughly categorized as full flavored, light and ultralight, with corresponding menthol variations. The lighter flavors tend to be sweeter, but the level of sweetness in even the lighter flavors pales in comparison to traditional e-liquid flavors. The available flavors are as follows:

    Bravado (full flavor)

    This flavor certainly lives up to its name. It has the deepest tobacco flavor and strongest throat hit. It’s the earthiest flavor of the bunch, with a possible whisper of vanilla on the back end. The closest cigarette comparison would be Camel Turkish Royals.

    Bravado Jade (menthol full flavor)

    This flavor closely resembles its nonmenthol counterpart. While it introduces a mild cooling effect on the draw, the tobacco remains dominant throughout the exhale. The throat hit is primarily derived from the tobacco rather than the menthol. The closest cigarette comparison would be Newports.

    Iconic (light)

    This flavor is likely to become a favorite among users. It offers a touch of honey-like sweetness on the draw and a subdued tobacco flavor on the exhale. The throat hit is significantly milder compared to Bravado, and the flavor concludes with a cleaner finish. The closest cigarette comparison would be Marlboro Lights.

    Iconic Teal (menthol light)

    This flavor is notably crisper than Bravado Jade, delivering a cooler draw that persists through the exhale. The throat hit is slightly harsher than Iconic but still far less intense than Bravado. The cooling sensation lingers, but there is no minty flavor. The flavor leans more toward tobacco than menthol. The closest cigarette comparison would be Marlboro Milds.

    Resolute (ultralight)

    This flavor exhibits a subtle saccharin sweetness on the tip of the tongue during the draw, disappearing immediately upon inhalation. The throat hit is surprisingly sharper than with Iconic. Resolute offers a somewhat tangy exhale and minimal tobacco flavor overall, resulting in a sharp yet clean taste. The closest cigarette comparison would be Parliament Lights.

    Resolute Green (menthol ultralight)

    This flavor shares the same sweetness on the draw as Resolute but delivers a slightly sharper throat hit and a notable menthol presence on the exhale. The tanginess persists but is balanced by the menthol, resulting in a well-rounded experience. The closest cigarette comparison would be Marlboro Menthol Ultra Lights.

    Unlike traditional cigarettes, the “light” designation does not affect nicotine levels, as all flavors contain nicotine at a strength of 20 mg. However, none of the aforementioned flavors leave a lingering chest tightness or residual wheezing. While they may not taste as “clean” as traditionally flavored e-liquids, they still provide a clean-feeling vaping experience. It’s worth noting that the menthol varieties do not possess an overpowering icy kick. As of yet, there is no comparable option for those seeking a flavor similar to Kools.

    The FAV is undoubtedly the best option for smokers who still enjoy smoking and are not necessarily looking to quit altogether. Transitioning from smoking to vaping, though easier than quitting abruptly, still requires some adjustment. Many new vapers who persist for at least two weeks often find themselves missing the act of smoking but no longer able to tolerate the taste when they revert back. However, many individuals are unable or unwilling to endure that duration and end up abandoning vaping to return to smoking.

    For individuals who have been exclusively vaping for an extended period, the FAV may not offer much novelty. While some vapers might be tired of overly sweet flavors saturating the market, the thought of a cigarette’s taste can be overwhelming for many. Nonetheless, the FAV is perfect for those genuinely committed to making the switch while still enjoying the flavor of their cigarettes.

    Until now, tobacco-flavored e-liquids have failed to hit the mark. True tobacco flavors often resemble licking a tobacco leaf while others present a disappointing blend of nutty, vanilla and caramel notes. As previously mentioned, replicating the flavor of burning without actually burning something is nearly impossible. By incorporating tobacco into the wicking material, where it is subject to heating, the FAV comes remarkably close to achieving that goal.

    Although many manufacturers have experimented with heat-not-burn devices that vaporize tobacco leaves, these devices have seen little success. The FAV strikes a harmonious balance between liquid-based e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn (HnB) devices. It operates similarly to any other pod system but offers a taste more akin to an HnB device without the waste and inconvenience of loose-leaf replacement.

    Furthermore, the FAV aims to address the issue of youth vaping. The device’s chip remains nonfunctional unless activated by the retailer at the point of sale, adding an additional layer of security, provided the retailer follows ethical practices. Moreover, the FAV’s flavors primarily attract current smokers, making it less appealing to minors by design.

    However, this feature also prevents the use of stolen products and ensures that only legitimate pods will work with the battery. There are plans to incorporate more features in the future to enhance security and assist with the cessation process, such as limiting the number of puffs per day.

    At its core, the FAV does not differ significantly from other pod systems. It consists of a pod inserted into a battery, producing vapor upon inhalation. Its aesthetic design is generally unremarkable, not standing out in any particular way. Nevertheless, given its target market, this approach is likely the best route for the FAV.

    It appeals to a broader audience, and its true innovation lies beneath the surface. No other device, be it a pod system or otherwise, can genuinely claim to taste like a cigarette. The FAV can, and it is not mere hype. Although it does not perfectly replicate the experience of an analog cigarette, it comes remarkably close. Introducing a mind-numbing menthol flavor to the lineup would be a welcome addition, but the FAV is undeniably a unique offering in the market.

    The FAV successfully accomplishes its goal of bridging the gap between smoking and vaping, exceeding expectations in the process. This device fulfills the desires of smokers who were hopeful when vaping first gained popularity. Many curious smokers were deterred by poorly executed tobacco flavor reproductions, subpar build quality and poor quality control.

    The FAV presents a simple yet refined device, born out of years of iteration and improvement of the pod system archetype. It combines this perfected design with new and innovative flavor technology, potentially capturing the attention of smokers who have remained unconvinced over the years.

    For an industry that thrived on innovation for so long, it is refreshing to witness truly meaningful innovation reemerge. The FAV stands as a distinctive device in all the ways that matter, potentially serving as the missing link in the market that smokers have been eagerly awaiting.

  • Best of Both Worlds

    Best of Both Worlds

    What makes the FAV different is both its new wicking technology and its state-of-the-art microchip technology.

    A new vaping product is slated to offer the cigarette-like flavor of combustibles with the ease of vaping.

    By Timothy S. Donahue

    It might be the most “wicked” thing to ever happen in the vapor industry. A new vaping device will enter the U.K. market this summer that brings together the taste and aroma of heat-not-burn products with the ease of use, mouthfeel and lowered risk offered by liquid-based vaping products. Developed by Avail Vapor founders James Xu and Donovan Phillips, the new FAV system hopes to be the ultimate transition device to trend combustible smokers toward less risky electronic nicotine-delivery system products.

    Xu and Phillips co-founded FAV Tech Hong Kong Limited with a leading Chinese hardware manufacturer to launch this new hybrid product, the FAV. What makes the FAV different is both its new wicking technology and its state-of-the-art microchip technology. Xu said the wicking is the first of its kind in the industry to use real tobacco leaf in the wick to help produce the tobacco flavoring in the atomized vapor. Xu uses proprietary patented technology to “sandwich” a layer of tobacco particulate in the cotton wicking used to absorb the e-liquid into the coil. The liquid is then atomized, and the heat releases the natural tobacco’s essence into the vapor as flavoring.

    National data shows that at least two-thirds of combustible smokers try to quit each year. During his time with Avail, Xu said that shopper survey data showed that of those two-thirds of users, only six percent converted completely to vapor. That left 94 percent that continue to use traditional tobacco cigarettes. There had to be a better way to transition combustible smokers.

    “It’s a scary experience for them to quit smoking because it’s a habit they form over many years. Any reason that they [combustible smokers] could find not to switch, such as it’s too complicated to use, it leaks or the flavor’s not there … They walk away from it or any other less harmful product,” explains Xu. “From the early days, we could see that there were certain ‘boxes’ that had to be checked to convert smokers. A convenient form factor, ease of use, but the one thing that was the most important was flavor.”

    This knowledge sent Xu and Phillips on their journey to develop the FAV. Heated-tobacco products offered the touch and feel of combustibles, but they were complicated to use, and many users rejected the flavor. E-cigarettes were easier to use, but none offered the combustible cigarette flavor profile that nearly mimicked traditional tobacco cigarettes. The industry often said that if such a device was ever marketed, it could be the missing piece to the puzzle of tobacco harm reduction.

    The chip embedded in FAV pods will not allow the device to be used without being activated at the store from which it’s purchased.

    “When the smoker is first attempting to quit, it needs to be a lateral move. Something that tastes like combustible cigarettes,” said Xu. “For the smoker, taste is very important.”

    Xu said the lightbulb moment happened when he was in China exploring factories with representatives of a global leaf supplier that explained how recon tobacco was created and used. Also known as homogenized tobacco recon (RTL), it was developed in the 1950s to save valuable raw material by combining remnants of virgin tobacco during production. RTL is a paper-like sheet approaching the thickness of tobacco laminae.

    “They explained how they make recon paper. And that’s when we began to wonder if we could use recon paper near the heating coil so it can release the aroma. We later started to research how we could incorporate pure leaf into the cotton wicking existing in e-cigarette coils,” Xu said. “We devoted the last 12 months to perfect the process. We use real tobacco particulate. We can make infinite combinations to mimic all the different cigarette blends by using different leaves. It’s an extremely difficult and unique process to blend tobacco with cotton. The tobacco is ‘sandwiched’ in between the cotton fiber.”

    The heat from the coil then releases the tobacco aroma into the vapor produced by the e-liquid passing through the cotton wicking and heating coil. The tobacco never burns, it just “heats” to release the flavor in the leaf blend mixed into the wicking. Xu said the concept is simple. To make it work, however, is quite the process.

    “This wasn’t something we could do ourselves. We needed the assistance of scientists to help us be able to identify what particle size and layering process would actually work,” Xu said. “This is a specialized, unique and proprietary process.”

    Technical response

    An exceptional quality of the FAV is that the e-liquid used in the device contains only 3 percent tobacco essence boosters. Typical disposable vaping products contain between 20 percent and 36 percent flavoring. Xu didn’t disclose what flavoring was used, only saying it had no added sugars and only “enhanced” the flavor produced by the tobacco in the FAV’s wicking. Xu said the added flavoring “mimics other aspects of a combustible cigarette’s flavoring.”

    Xu said that another innovation offered by the FAV is its microchip enhancement technology developed over many years with their Chinese partner. The chip embedded in FAV pods will not allow the device to be used without being activated at the store from which it’s purchased. This prevents any use unless the seller verifies the purchaser is of legal age to consume tobacco products. Xu acknowledges that there is little a manufacturer can do if devices are purchased by an adult, then given to an underage user (straw purchase). The technical enhancements, however, are aimed at combating underage nicotine consumption.

    “The device can’t be stolen from a store and then used. It also prevents counterfeit products from becoming available. Only legitimate FAV pods work with the FAV battery device. The cartridge (pod) comes in the factory setting but can be modified by the user. Some users may want the wattage a little higher to squeeze out that last little bit of e-liquid. They have that ability to do that but within certain limits,” Xu explains. “Because many app platforms don’t allow tobacco product apps, users will have to initially connect the device to their computer to alter any settings.”

    The device can also program puff counts for users who may be using the device to wean themselves off nicotine entirely. Xu said that the first version of the FAV will have a very limited set of options for users. “It’s going to be very limited because we need regulatory approvals on some options. However, the sky is the limit with the chip,” he said. “But if you tell me you want to quit smoking or vaping, we can program that. Today, you can have 100 puffs, tomorrow, 99; the day after tomorrow, 98. Everything can be stored in the chip.”

    The FAV device has also performed better on toxicology testing than other heated-tobacco products. Xu said the FAV is equal to if not better than typical e-liquids as well because of the lack of flavoring and sugars in the e-liquid. There is little introduction of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) (which comprise one of the most important groups of carcinogens in tobacco products) or harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) that are chemicals or chemical compounds in tobacco products or tobacco smoke that cause or could cause harm to smokers or nonsmokers.

    The device can also program puff counts for users who may be using the device to wean themselves off nicotine entirely.

    “There are minute TSNAs or HPHCs present. FAV tests better than heat-not-burn by a significant amount and surpasses most vapor product testing because our cartridges/e-liquid use little flavoring. Additionally, the amount of tobacco equivalent to a pack of cigarettes is 12.4 grams for [an estimated] 300 puffs,” explained Xu. “We use 0.05 grams of tobacco in our wicking. It’s only a small fraction of real tobacco compared to a pack of cigarettes that’s needed to give that authentic taste.”

    Xu said the FAV is expected to hit the European market this summer. The FAV is already TPD certified. The device has a 2 mL capacity with a 20 mg nicotine e-liquid mixed in a PG/VG base. It will come in three different tobacco flavors, and each flavor will have a menthol counterpart. Xu said he has submitted the FAV to Canadian authorities as well and expects to be able to enter that market sometime this year.

    Concerning the world’s largest vaping market, Xu said he does want to submit a premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He does, however, want to wait until the FDA gets the PMTA process in order and is clearer on what it expects from a vaping product to receive marketing approval. Xu said the FDA’s failure is costing the U.S. economy, limiting the technology of less risky tobacco products in the U.S. market and, most importantly, costing the lives of millions of smokers who want to quit but are unclear of the benefits of using less risky products.

    “We identified the European market for our initial product launch. The FDA has this ludicrous regulatory environment. Initially, we were thinking about releasing FAV in the U.S. and manufacturing it in the U.S. This would have brought jobs and the first vaping hardware production to the Unites States,” said Xu. “We just couldn’t make it work because of the U.S. regulatory landscape. Because of the uncertainty with FDA regulation, we had no other choice but to choose production outside the U.S.”

    There is one problem, however, that Xu hopes will never be solved: Focus group test panels seem to love the FAV. “The biggest problem we have right now is when we do a focus group test panel, and our testers are actual current combustible cigarette smokers, they don’t want to give me the FAV back,” he joked. “They just keep telling me, ‘This is exactly what we’ve being looking for.’ That’s a good problem; those individuals smoking combustible cigarettes don’t want to give it back. Maybe this is the unicorn device that makes the transition to less risky products easier.”